Why an Extended Warranty Doesn’t Cover Normal Maintenance

Why an Extended Warranty Doesn’t Cover Normal Maintenance

The majority of warranties do not cover normal maintenance. This is important to understand before you go in for major maintenance at the repair shop and expect a reimbursement that isn’t coming. But why do most forms of coverage exclude maintenance?

The Main Reason Maintenance Is Covered

Normal maintenance isn’t covered because most of it isn’t required. Not to say that you don’t have to perform the maintenance, but that you don’t need coverage for it. For example, if an oil change ranges from $30-50, then it is unlikely you would ever hit your deductible when you just go in for an oil change. When it comes to things like tires, the tire shop should have offered a road hazard plan, and the tire manufacturer should guarantee the tires for a certain number of miles.

When it comes to expensive maintenance such as timing belt changes, the main reason this isn’t covered is that the belt isn’t actually bad in most cases. Since the mechanic can’t see the timing belt, it needs to be changed at a set number of miles to avoid the risk of it going bad while driving and doing major engine damage. But you can’t expect your coverage to reimburse you for things that you replaced before they wore out completely.